126 The Mutiny (2/2)

”No worries, my dear cousin.” Verdi waved his hand causally, ”After you die, Mr. Rogerio, from the Congress of Magic, will come to wrap up everything. He will leave the clues which will all lead to the sorcerers, and the Congress of Magic will claim responsibility as well.”

”I see. You’re neither on the side of Argent Horn, nor that of the Congress. You just betrayed Argent Horn to please the Church.” Natasha’s eyes looked rather cold, ”Impressive.”

”My plan went wrong several times, though.” Verdi lifted his right hand and pointed at Lucien. ”This guy, Lucien Evans… he betrayed Argent Horn, or you’d be dead a long time ago.”

Lucien finally realized what was his big trouble predicted by Maskelyne. Because of Silvia’s betrayal, his Blessing and what he did to Argent Horn was no more a secret since long ago. The only reason that Lucien and Joel’s family stayed safe until now was because the enemies needed to focus on their bigger plan. However, it seemed that Argent Horn still did not know that Lucien was actually the ”Professor”.

”Lucien, thank you for coming here tonight,” Verdi said to him with an evil smile. ”So I don’t have to bother killing you later, after our plan is done. But don’t think you have bad luck, since your death would come to you sooner or later. ”

”I bet you’re very happy that you can kill two birds with one stone tonight.” Lucien put on a calm smile while facing that serious situation. ”The poem and the manuscript… they were really good traps to get me, a person who desires power so much.”

Although Lucien was acting like he already gave up, he was trying to sense the gaps connecting the world of soul and the main world, which would be the best way to save them. Unfortunately, the gap through which he came back had disappeared completely with the collapse of the magic lock, and he sensed no more around the area.

”Your calmness is impressive. Unfortunately, your loyalty will not bring you anything but death.” Verdi lifted his chin a bit and looked at Lucien. Then, he turned to the knights on Natasha’s side, ”What about you guys? The Hayne and Hill families, as well as the two gold knights in the fortress, they’re all taking a neutral standpoint right now. As long as I can kill the princess, I’ll be the next grand duke.”

All the knights, squires and soldiers standing behind Natasha were shocked, and not even the princess could believe her ears. She never expected that Verdi had actually gained acquiescence from the big families and the most powerful people in the duchy.

”Why would you guys still want to follow her? Why would you guys want to sacrifice your lives for a woman who likes women?” Verdi got more and more vicious. ”Shame on her, because she betrayed our honored tradition and she can’t even continue her family’s bloodline! Do you really think she could bring you guys glory?”

Some people who were on Natasha’s side started to murmur at each other.

Natasha forced herself to raise her head. As a knight of pride, she could not flinch even a bit from this situation.

”I have two level five grand knights, one level four knight, three level three knights… and also a couple of hundred of knight squires,” Verdi threatened them. ”You bend your knees toward me, or you die.”

After a short period of time, many soldiers and squires started to run toward Verdi’s side, and among them there was even a knight.

Tightly grabbing her lance, Natasha looked at them with an expressionless face. Sitting on the horse, her back was as straight as a longsword.

After a while, when she looked around, there were only less than ten people who were still with her, and a couple of horses without their riders.

There was a sad smile on Natasha’s face.

”Knight Wyon, why you’re still with me?” she asked.

Wyon was the level four knight, who had blond hair and blue eyes. He answered the princess solemnly, ”I made my vow to serve you, Your Grace, and I’ll serve you until the last second of my life.”

Natasha nodded with great resolve, and then turned to Lucien.

”What about you, Lucien?”

”I’m on your side, Your Grace.” Lucien answered shortly but firmly.